Northern Kentucky University Athletics

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team begins its 2012 season on Saturday with a doubleheader against North Georgia in Dahlonega, Ga.  The first game is slated to start at 1 p.m.

The two teams will take the field again on Sunday at noon for a single game.  This will be the first meeting between NKU and North Georgia.

North Georgia currently holds a 4-2 record after posting three wins during the Carolina Outdoors Classic last weekend.

The Norse will also travel to Harrogate, Tenn., on Tuesday for two games to face Lincoln Memorial.  The first game in the doubleheader is set to start at 2 p.m.

NKU/LMU SERIES:  Lincoln Memorial owns a 12-7 lead in the all-time series with NKU, including a 7-6 victory over the Norse in 2010.

Last season, NKU pulled out a 5-4 win in 13 innings against Lincoln Memorial on the road.  Brad Clement singled to right field to bring home John Kennedy for the go-ahead run.  Brent Wagner picked up the win after throwing two perfect innings of relief for the Norse.

PRESEASON POLL:  NKU was picked to finish second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division preseason poll behind Southern Indiana.

Southern Indiana received 109 total points and received nine first-place votes.  The Norse fell just short of the top spot, collecting 108 points and four votes for first place.  Indianapolis and Saint Joseph's also received votes and were picked to finished third and fourth, respectively.

The Norse finished last season with a 36-21 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament for the fourth consecutive season.

SMASHING SOPHOMORES:  Head coach Todd Asalon will turn to sophomores Brett Cisper and Zac Asman to provide an offensive spark after solid 2011 seasons.  Cisper finished with a .330 batting average and led the team in on-base percentage (.402) and hits (70).  His performance earned first-team All-Region and third-team All-GLVC honors last season.

Asman compiled a .309 batting average with 10 doubles, 27 RBIs and 20 runs scored.  He led the team with 13 stolen bases.

NEWCOMER IMPACT:  The Norse welcome 15 new players to the 2012 roster, several of which are expected to make an immediate impact.

NKU will look to Mike Nastold, a transfer from the University of Louisville, to lead the team on the mound.  Nastold was picked in the 37th round by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2011 MLB Draft but returned to school for his senior year.  He finished last season with a 4.81 ERA while collecting 35 strikeouts.

Brett Loeding is expected to provide relief out of the bullpen for the Norse.  Last season, the transfer from Elgin Community College compiled 3-0 record and a 3.25 ERA.  Loeding also collected 30 strikeouts and eight saves.

Kris Hecktor, a transfer from Marshall University, will be looked upon for an offensive spark.  Hecktor saw action in 15 games while earning eight starts during the 2011 season and batted in three RBIs.

FAREWELL SEASON:  This season will mark NKU's last in NCAA Division II.  The 2013 season will mark a new era as the Norse begin participating in the Atlantic Sun Conference in Division I.  To date, NKU has compiled a 1,205-822-2 record over 40 years of competition.